Page 49 of Hack
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Archer needed to forget what they were going to be facing over the next week or two. Carter was right, they needed to forget everything now that they had placed the trackers and just act like a normal couple enjoying a vacation.
He paused at the thought. They weren't a couple, but damn if he didn't feel as if they were. From the looks they shared, to the soft caresses they gave each other when no one was looking, they did most of the things boyfriends would do. The attraction between them was impossible to ignore, and he was sure Carter wanted him just as badly as he wanted Carter.
He wondered what it would be like if they'd met during another time, at another place. One where they didn't have this horrible murder investigation sitting right in front of them. Without the stress and the danger they were facing, they could probably have a great time together. It was just that constant reminder that they were after a serial killer that kept getting in the way of any excitement they could have together.
For them, there wouldn't be any going to the movies, enjoying concerts together, or spending holidays with each other. Their lives weren't set up that way. They both had jobs that kept them busy, and they weren't jobs that would really allow for the two of them to build anything from what they shared. Hell, Carter was clear that he wasn't going to let Archer into his life. Whatever he did during those late nights at work was something he was planning on never allowing Archer to know about.
And that was okay.
At least that's what he told himself.
Deep down, the secrets were hard to swallow. He was being stupid to think that after knowing each other for a week or two they would share their most intimate secrets, but that's what he wanted, what he hoped for.
Once this was over, they would go their separate ways. His life wasn't in California. Hell, most of the work he did was back on the other side of the country. They both had their own lives to fall back into. He hadn't come looking for any attachments, not even sex. He was lucky they'd shared that much with each other.
Maybe they could work something out where they met up every few months to let off some steam.
He shook his head, pushing the thought from his mind. Why the hell was he even worried about this. He was fine being alone. Had never wanted anyone tying him down to a relationship. He did his best work alone.
Refocusing on his dinner, he glanced up at Carter, who looked to be just as lost in his own thoughts. He wished he knew what he was thinking, but his expression gave away nothing. Just a distant stare as he jabbed at his food as if having to force himself to eat.
"Not hungry?" Archer asked.
Carter set his fork down. "I thought I was." He sighed. "A lot on my mind. It's hard to believe this could all finally come to an end. I've held on for so many years. If I'd known it would be this easy, I would have come out here years ago."
"But it might not have been so easy. If Dana hadn't been working, if someone else had, you might not have gotten the leads you needed. There are so many factors. Hell, we didn't even have the DNA tying things to the Carmens until recently. That is the one piece of evidence that opened this whole thing up. We should give Luis's girlfriend a prize for having them do those stupid DNA genealogy tests." Archer understood what Carter was feeling. And in some ways, he was too. He wanted this over, wished it had ended years ago, but then, there was also the worry of what came next. He'd dedicated the last half of his life to searching for Lyle, and once he caught him, then what? Working as an investigator was okay, but it was simple work most of the time. Catch a guy cheating on his wife, hunt down a long lost relative or adoptive parent, find out who was vandalizing someone's business. Nothing that really made him feel fulfilled in his life's work.
He figured Carter had to be feeling a lot like he was. While Carter seemed to have a job that kept him busy, he'd been after his daughter's killer for years. Once they'd brought Lyle to justice, then what? Was Carter ready for the next step? It was clear he'd never made peace with his daughter's death. Was he ready to finally let go and move on with his life?
"True. I wish I knew what Luis and Levitt know. I can't believe they are innocent in all of this, especially since Luis had that bank charge in the area where Lyle's probably living. I won't let them go on this. Once we have Lyle, I'm going to make sure the FBI knows how Luis and Levitt were tied to things." Carter picked his fork back up and stabbed a piece of his chicken.
"You know what bothers me? If Gerald was a polygamist, then why are there no other children from his other wives? The only child listed was Mark. Don't polygamist people have like a million kids?"
"Most do. I don't know. It's something we can look into. And we still don't know why Mark and Tonya struggled for money when from the looks of things, Gerald was very well off financially.
Archer nodded. "Something else to follow up on. I want the family home here to be searched for graves. We still have those three missing girls to account for, and while Lyle might not have taken all three, a witness saw him with one of them. He either kept her with him or buried her somewhere around here."
"All stuff we'll send off to the FBI once we are sure Lyle is out of the picture," Carter promised. "You done? I have no appetite tonight."
"Yep. You need anything before we head back to the motel?"
Carter shook his head. "Just you beside me, a mindless movie on the TV, and for the hours to pass quickly so we can get back home."
"I can promise two of the three." Archer reached for the check then headed up to the cashier.
"That's good enough for me." Carter slid his arm around Archer's waist as they walked outside. "You know, this wouldn't be a bad little town to visit for a vacation. It's kind of relaxing if you don't know a serial killer was born here. You're close enough to Atlanta you could still take in the city life, yet here, you can escape to the slower side of living."
"If you had your way is that what you'd choose, the slower paced life?" Archer asked as they headed to the car. He was shocked, but comfortable with Carter's arm around him. It was something he could get used to.
"I think so. I've always lived in a city. I think if I was to ever retire, I'd like to find some small town where no one knows me and just live a simple life. I'm tired of traffic, crowds, and all the stuff that goes with the city life. What about you?"
"I've lived in both. I was raised in a smaller town, but moved to the city for school and then work. I like both, but I think if I had to choose, I'd live in a small town and visit the city when the mood struck. I'm not sure where though. I thought I'd always stay east, but after visiting you in California, I realize there's a lot of this country I have yet to visit. I'd like to see places I've only heard about. I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, all the places like that."
"I've never been to either." Carter paused by the passenger side of the car. He surprised Archer by pulling him close, hugging him to him. "Maybe when this is done, we can meet somewhere like that for a weekend or something."
"I'd like that." He really liked the idea that Carter might want to see him again when this was over. He placed his hands on Carter's hips, holding him to him, their chests pressed together as they stared at each other. He had to wonder if they would be together again once they got back to California. Were tonight and tomorrow all they had? Once back, they would be focused on the case, and their time together, at least this kind of time would be forgotten about and unimportant compared to what they were going to deal with. "I wish we'd met a different way." He leaned in, brushing his lips over Carter's jaw, enjoying the scratch of his whiskers against his lips.
